Issue 1436

May 10, 2026

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Public Hearing on Zoning Ordinance

to Regulate Data Centers

Plus Full Agenda

Wednesday, May 13, 6:00 pm

Government Center 2nd floor



Click to read proposed data center regulations. Expect a standing room only crowd. Also on the agenda is a slaughterhouse on Holland Road and Indiana House Bill 1001. The bill would limit local zoning oversight and allow residential development without public hearings. Click for information to watch the meeting from home.

Report on County Employee Health Insurance Broker

County Commissioners’ Meeting



May 13, 2026, 10:00 am

County Councilmember Eric Doll will give a presentation about the county employee health insurance broker. Click to see full agenda, location and how to watch from home.

Millions for School Renovations

The Franklin County School Board meets on Monday, May 11 at 6:00 pm. Board Member Gregg Burris announced $7.8 million in renovations to Laurel Elementary School “after a year of planning and debates.” Future plans also include $11 million for Brookville Elementary and $6.7 million for Mt. Carmel Elementary. Also watch for personnel changes. View a live broadcast at https://www.fccsc.k12.in.us/boardagenda



Indiana Property Taxes Are Due

Monday, May 11.

Office hours are 7:30 am – 4:00 pm

Open during lunchtime.



Search for your tax bill at https://lowtaxinfo.com/franklincounty

Your Opinion On Water Usage in Indiana

Indiana Department of Natural Resources will host one more opportunity to provide your input regarding the future of water management in Indiana. It is May 19, 1-4 pm. Click below to RSVP. A virtual link will be sent to those who RSVP. In earlier sessions, a portion of the discussion focused on the "consumptive use" of water by data centers. 

Water Planning Stakeholder Session

Map below shows area of focus, which includes Franklin County.

New Stop Sign in New Trenton

The Indiana Department of Transportation installed new solar powered flashing stop signs at the intersection of US Highway 52 and New Trenton Road in the community of New Trenton, Indiana, plus warning signs in advance of the intersection.

At midday on Tuesday, May 5, the stop signs were noticeably slowing truck traffic, but causing no long delay. The speed limit in this area is 35 mph. Last month, there was a local campaign led by Linda Hall and Alice Greene to petition the county commissioners for safety changes here and on New Trenton Hill road. The commissioners agreed to check on further improvements.

America 250 Program

The public is invited to the America 250 Program sponsored by the Twin Forks Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution on May 13 at 6:00 pm at the Brookville Library. Joyce Browning will interpret a Revolutionary War Nurse.

Submitted by Maggie Fain

Franklin County Quilt Show

Friday, May 15,

10 am to 5 pm

Saturday, May 16,

10 am to 4 pm 

At 4-H Exhibition Hall, County Fairgrounds. Antique Quilt Bed Turning on Friday will be at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm and on Saturday at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm. A favorite presentation of the Quilt Show is a narrated bed turning, featuring older quilts, their history and pattern. There will also be demonstrations of quilting techniques on both days. For more information, go to Facebook. Photo is from the 2025 show.

Margaret Mary Health Delays Opening

of New Hospital in Batesville, Indiana



Opening moved from June 6 to August 8 due to a “construction-related flooring issue.” 

Click to read more.

Grillin’ For Dollars

Joe Jester’s Brookville IGA is once again supporting local non-profits by grilling chicken, burgers, pork chops and ribeyes on Fridays and Saturdays from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm. On May 9, people enjoyed fine weather and good food at the picnic tables out front. Benefitting was the group Friends of the Franklin County Public Library District. See photo below.

River Goat Classic Show

Photos: Two girls waiting to show their goats.

For the second year, the Franklin County fairgrounds has hosted a two-day dairy goat show sanctioned by the American Dairy Goat Association. Competitors (dressed in white) came from Illinois and other nearby states to earn ribbons in breed classes and showmanship.

Photo: Winning senior doe best in show was Travis Arney with his five-year old Toggenburg goat named Cottonball. Showing goats is the “family business/hobby” for Woods River Farm of Avon, Indiana.

Photo: Franklin County student Alice Bulmer’s Saanen Nubian 10-year-old goat named April won a milk pail for being the oldest goat at the show. Her family raises dairy goats at Cedar Hollow Farm.

Reported by Sara Duffy

Around The County

New Date -- State Road 1 Closes May 11

Metamora Opry Barn

My Brother's Keeper Bluegrass Night-- Saturday, May 16, 6:00 – 7:00pm.

Mark Dvorak with Daniel Ryan Saturday, May 23, 6:30 pm. Food available from the Metamora Lions.

Reservations available on our website.

Hee Haw Tribute - June 6

2026 Highlights

Bluegrass Series: March to November on the 3rd Saturday

Hoosier Voices: Songwriters in the Round - 3 shows planned

Music Festival: Labor Day Weekend, September 5-6

Plus, visiting artists Mark Dvorak, Andy Cohen, and more.

Acoustic Final Fridays: 6 PM

Grist Mill Jams: First Sundays from 1 to 3 PM, April to Sept

Submitted by Metamora Performing Arts

On Free Fishing Days, Indiana residents do not need a fishing license or a trout/salmon stamp to fish the state's public waters. All other rules such as seasons, bag, and size limits apply.

Free Fishing Days are an excellent opportunity to learn how to fish, take your family fishing, or introduce a friend to fishing. To see what properties are hosting events, go to the DNR Calendar. Prefer to learn on your own? See Fishing Tips and Videos.

• From Indiana Department of Natural Resources

FCN Bank Shred Days

Customers or people in the community can are welcome to bring documents to shred and there will be a shred truck that will shred the paper on site right in front you.

• Brookville – 5/16/26 (8am-10am) at Brookville Methodist Church: 150 E 8th St.

• Batesville – 6/6/26 (8-10am) at 1060 State Road 229N.

The Franklin County Observer is a free news service. At the Observer, we focus our coverage on events and meetings in Franklin County.

Our volunteer staff writers are all Franklin County residents who are committed to factual, impartial news reporting.

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